FIFA Fan Festival evacuated midway through World Cup opening game
FIFA’s Fan Festival in Toronto was halted due to ‘risk of lightning’
FIFA’s Fan Festival in Toronto was forced to carry out an emergency evacuation midway through Mexico’s World Cup opener against South Africa on Thursday night.
Thousands of people had turned up to watch the first match of the World Cup on the big screen in the Fort York grounds in Toronto.
However, shortly before half-time, the game was abruptly stopped on the big screen and replaced with a message which read: ‘Cancellation of show’.
As the crowd began to boo, an announcement was made as confused supporters were told: ‘May I have your attention, please. Unfortunately the FIFA Fan Festival will be cancelled for today due to extreme weather conditions.
It’s finally here
Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here.
‘This decision was made out of an abundance of caution for our fans’ safety and we appreciate your understanding.’
Disappointed fans at the Toronto FIFA Fan Fest are being escorted out by organizers after it was announced the event had been cancelled for the day due to bad weather. This occurred as Mexico and South African fans gathered to cheer on their teams in Toronto during the… https://t.co/ldlqmTfbwmpic.twitter.com/2wt2MlOsoE
A statement released by the Fan Festival organisers in Toronto read: ‘Out of an abundance of caution, the FIFA Fan Festival Toronto is being evacuated due to risk of lightning.
‘The decision was not made lightly, however safety is our utmost priority. FIFA Fan Festival Toronto will not reopen tonight.’
It’s a big crowd at FIFA Fan Fest in Toronto for the first game of the World Cup! Mexico vs South Africa ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/sQSALncM4d
Toronto is one of the World Cup’s host cities with six matches due to be played at BMO Field, including Canada’s opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday.
FIFA World Cup 2026 retail pop-up stores are opening across the Los Angeles region this week News Official FIFA World Cup 2026 retail pop-up stores are opening across the Los Angeles region this week, giving fans access to tournament merchandise ahead of matches scheduled to begin later this week. The stores will be located in downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach and Torrance, and will…
With chants of ‘Viva Mexico!’ LA’s Coliseum comes to life for World Cup Fan Festival News Nancy De Jesus and Ross October hold each other’s team colors before the start of the Mexico and South Africa opening game at the FIFA World Cup 26 Fan Festival at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Thursday June 11, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer) The FIFA World…
FIFA and Infantino draw bipartisan skepticism ahead of the World Cup News By STEVEN SLOAN and SEUNG MIN KIM WASHINGTON (AP) — Dozens of mayors and other city leaders gathered in the ballroom of a Washington hotel on a snowy January morning this year gripped by anger and anxiety about the federal government’s increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement operation that included the killings…
USMNT sets up training camp at Irvine’s Great Park for FIFA World Cup preparations News U.S. Men’s National Team player Alejandro Zendejas signs autographs after the team’s practice session on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Great Park in Irvine in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team plays its opener on Friday in Inglewood. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) U.S. Men’s…
Long Beach youth were surprised with FIFA World Cup tickets, thanks to California Resources Corporation News Long Beach youth were surprised with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – a chance to attend an upcoming FIFA World Cup match at Sofi Stadium for free. The California Resources Corporation, headquartered in Long Beach, alongside local community partners and youth-serving organizations, hosted a special World Cup ticket surprise event on Monday,…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
